Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Queenstown

We hatched a plan a bit over a year ago to have a holiday in New Zealand, to include walking the Milford Track with our friends Brian and Meredith (who came skiing with us in Japan in 2015), and another couple, who had to pull out when their daughter had a baby due at around the same time. 

The Milford Track is touted as being the 'finest walk in the world', so it features on many people's 'bucket lists'. Thus you have to book early to get one of the restricted places on it. We signed up the day the booking list for 2018 opened up, over a year ago.

There are two ways to do it: 'independent trampers' stay in Dept of Conservation huts, and carry their own bedding and food. 'Guided trampers' stay in private lodges which provide bedding, food, showers, drying facilities, etc. We settled for the 'pamper tramp' version with a company called 'Ultimate Hikes'.

So we are now the advance party in Queenstown, getting fit and equipped, and psyching ourselves up for the trek.

Queenstown is basking in hot weather, a bit warmer than the Gold Coast, but there is a storm predicted for our first day, Thursday February 1st.


Queenstown has changed massively since we were last here. The scale of tourism has shot up by a huge amount, especially from China. With the Chinese New Year on 16th February, much of China is currently in Queenstown!

But it is still a lovely place.


Cirrus clouds over TSS Earnslaw


Lake Whakatipu


George doing last-minute shopping.

We had been recommended to do a trip on the old steamship Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station. I love old working machinery like the steam engine on the ship.



Walter Peak Station had an 'all-you-can-eat' meal. It was lovely.



It attracted a certain demographic! The ship listed worryingly to port!


Steaming back into Queenstown under a full moon 


Queenstown waterfront at night



Monday, January 1, 2018

Woodford festival

We sometimes do things other than sailing, and have some photos to share.

Between Boxing Day and the New Year, there is a music festival near a small town called Woodford about an hour north of Brisbane. We go most years for a spell, and sometimes the whole six days. Its got gradually more sophisticated and comfortable. Sometimes it rains, and sometimes it can be pretty hot.

But is always a lot of fun. 


A whimsical vibe

This year we went with six other families and got a particularly good campsite, basically a clearing with shady trees and only one other caravan in it.

This is a video from a previous year.



Woodford Folk Festival

More videos from previous Woodfords here, and here.


A big shady tarp


A few aging hippies


Dawne and George


George and Rose


Glenn and Emerson


Rocky the Welshman


Rocky and Gail


Rose

The Opening Ceremony













The lake at night

 

Acrobatic display


Shaded streets. This one had a mist sprinkler to cool us down


Ashley Mannix of Little Georgia


Justin Carter of Little Georgia



John Butler and his wife Mama Kim




John Thompson and Martin Pearson run a comedy show every morning. Hilarious!



Mr Percival


Darren Percival is a much loved singing instructor who draws people together and encourages bonding by singing together. He leads a very moving workshop.






Reminiscent of encounter groups in the 1980s



A folkie jam session in the Cooper's Bar

The Turner Brown Band


We have followed the Backsliders, a top blues band for many years. The lead guitarist is Dom Turner, possibly Australia's top blues guitarist. Their drummer, Rob Hirst, is also in Midnight Oil, one of Australia's iconic rock bands. See a short video of Rob Hirst in action here. The Oils are currently on tour, and Dom Turner has teamed up with an American band led by Nikki Brown, a lap-slide guitarist, to form the Turner Brown Band. Amazing! 



Nikki Brown




Vance Gilbert, an American singer, who came to Austinville Hall as part of the Festival of Small Halls


Vaudeville Smash working a crowd


'Made up of three brothers and two mates, no other Australian band sounds like 'em. An explosion of funk, flute, sax, synth and groove, the dance floor is packed at a VAUDEVILLE SMASH gig.'


William Crichton

Street Entertainers











Artworks





Light reflected in a pond